Folding ax



Sept. 14, 1943. R. J. STEINER FOLDING AXE Filed May 27, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet l Inventor W J JZ'eabaer A llorm y Sept. 14, 1943.

R. J. STEINER 2,329,424

' FOLDING AXE Filed May 27, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventor 12 dliieazer A Home Patented Sept. 14, 1943 "Roy J. Steiner, ontiivina ivrmaii Y A plication Mayer, mnlsaa m. 395,4 i 7 after setforth, an implement ofthis character which is adapted tobe expeditiously folded in a manner to require a minimum of space.

Another very, important object of the invention is to provide an ax of the aforementioned character comprising novel means for securely holding the device in either open or closed position. 1

Other objects of the invention are to provide a folding ax of the character described which will be comparatively simple in construction, strong, durable, safe, light in weight and which may be manufactured at a low cost.

All of the foregoing and still further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a study of the following specification, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein like characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of an ax constructed inaccordance with the present invention, showing the device folded.

Figure 2 is a view in rear elevation thereof.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary view in verti'calsection, taken substantially on the line 33 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary view in vertical section, taken substantially on the line 44 of Figure 1, showing the method of pulling a nail.

Figure 5 is a. view in side elevation, showing the ax in open or unfolded position, a portion of the handle being broken away in vertical section.

Figure 6 is a view in front elevation of the unfolded or open ax.

Figure 7 is a detail view in perspective of the resilient locking bolt retaining arm.

Figure 8 is a detail view in elevation of the locking bolt.

be seen that the embodiment of the invention which has been illustrated comprises a substantially fiat head I of suitable metal. On one end, the head I is provided with a cutting edge or blade 2. Projecting from the head I is an integral shank 3;

Pivotally mounted on the free end portion of the shank 3 is a metallic handle 4. A bolt 5 pivotally secures the handle 4 to the shank 3. The handle 4 is substantially channel-shaped in cross-section thereby providing a chamber 6 Referring now to the drawings in detail, it will I stitutes: a su rdvfion vr e a ev n n H openings ,8 on thecorresponding portion ,of the for the reception of the blade 2 of the h the h d Amber; the t i z dqd m the blade-2. v 1

Ehj m P 1, on Qf-i I -E r I .for registry (with aligned handle .4. I .n znut ojrl threaded -bosslfl is fixed on lone side ofthe handle 4 in .-alig'nment withithe openingsii; The'back portion of the pivoted end of the handle 4 is further provided with aligned openings I0. ,Fixed on one side of the handle 4 in registry'with the openings I0 is a nut or boss which is similar to the element 9. The openings ID are for registry with an opening II in the back portion of the shank 3.

Secured for swinging movement on the pivotedend portion ofthe handle 4 by the bolt 5 is a resilient arm l2 The arm l2 has formed therein a longitudinal slot IS in which is slidably mounted a screwbolt I4. As illustrated to advantage in Figure 3 of the drawings, the bolt I4 has formed therein immediately under the grooved head thereof a circumferential channel I5 in which the walls of the slot l3 are engaged for slidably retaining said bolt I4 on the arm l2. 1

A stop It. is provided on the back portion of the shank 3 for positively arresting the opening movement of the handle 4 when the openings l0 and l I are inregistry. In the open front portion of the'handle 4 is a stop Il extending between the side walls of said handle for engagement with the shank 3 for limiting the movement of the blade 2 into the chamber 6. Thus, the blade 2 is prevented from contacting the handle 4 and, in addition, said handle is strengthened.

The he d I has formed therein a slot 18 which accommo ates a carrying strap. The inner longitudinal wall of the slot It! has formed therein a substantially V-shaped notch I9 for the reception of a nail to be pulled, as suggested in Figure '4 of the drawings. 7

It is thought that the manner of using the device will be readily apparent from a consideration of the foregoing. Briefly, when the ax is in folded position, as seen in Figure l of the drawings, the handle 4 encloses the blade 2 of the head I and functions as a guard 'for said blade. At this time the openings 1 and 8 are in registry. The locking bolt I4 is inserted in the registering openings 1 and'fl and screwed into the element 9 thereby positively locking the ax in folded or closed position. The stop I! arrests the swinging movementof the handle 4 toward closing position the opening 1. Thus, insertion of the locking bolt l4 in the openings 1 and 8 is greatly facilitated. To open the ax the bolt l 4 is, of course, unscrewed and lifted out of the openings 1 and 8 against the tension of the resilient arm l2. The handle 4 is then swung to open position where it is arrested by the stop l6 and in which position the openings l 0 and I I are in registry. The resilient arm I! is then swung on the pivot bolt 5 to permit the bolt l4 to be screwed into the openings l0 and H for positively locking the ax in open position. When the locking bolt I4 is unscrewed, the free end portion of the resilient arm I2 is raised thereby.;.,,.

,the shank, a resilient arm journaled on the bolt, said arm having a closed longitudinal slot therein,

one of the other pair of handle openings being This facilitates obtaining a grip on the arm for lifting the bolt completely out of the opening and swinging said arm to the new position; The slidable mounting of the locking bolt 14 in the slot I 3 g of the arm I2 facilitates inserting saidlocking Of course, the arm' l2 pre bolt in the openings. 7 vents the locking bolt M from being lostor misplaced.

It is believed "m tte y advantages of a folding ax constructed inao'cordance with the j present invention will be readily understoodand *although apreferred embodiment of the device'is a as illustrated and described,'itisto be understood that changes in the'details of construction and in the'combination and arrangement-of parts may be resorted to which will fall within the'scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed is:

A folding ax comprising a shank having a plurality of smooth, spaced openings therein, a laterthreaded bolt engaged in the communicating openings for pivotally connecting the handle and registrable with one of the other shank openings 'whent-he ax isfolded, a third pair of handle openings being registrable with a third shank opening when the ax is open, and a bolt rotatably and slidably mounted in theslot and'enga'geable selectively in said other and jsaid' thirdhandle and shank openings when they areinregistry for releasably securing the ax in closed-or open position, one of each of the pairs ofhandle openings being threaded ffor' threadedly-receiving the ROY 

